Celebrating the first centenary of his birth.
2024 marks the centenary of the birth of the renowned Basque artist, who has left an indelible mark on contemporary art. We celebrate not only his unique contributions to the art scene but also the way his work has transformed the cultural landscape. We will immerse ourselves in some of Chillida’s most outstanding works and the emblematic places that bear his legacy.
An essential legacy
Since the 1950s, his work has been important in museums and art collections in Europe and America. His works have been studied by historians and art critics and admired by poets such as Octavio Paz and Gabriel Celaya. They have also been mentioned by thinkers such as Martin Heidegger and Gaston Bachelard. His award-winning and widely exhibited art has established itself as a fundamental and inescapable pillar of contemporary art.
For many, Chillida represents the pinnacle of Spanish sculpture in the second half of the 20th century. For more than 50 years, the artist explored complementary concepts in his art. These concepts include emptiness and volume, light and shadow, and limits and infinity. The materials he used in his works, such as iron, concrete, stone, alabaster and steel, were not important in themselves. Nor were the simple, mysterious forms that characterised his work. Through his art, the Basque artist sought to convey an ethical, mystical and transcendental vision of life.
Peine del Viento: the sculptural symphony by the sea
If you are wondering what to see in Donostia / San Sebastián, you cannot miss this emblematic sculpture: El Peine del Viento, located at a crucial point of the Grand Tour, on the stage between Zarautz and Donostia / San Sebastián.
The “Peine del Viento” in Donostia / San Sebastián is an impressive testimony to the synergy between art and nature.
These steel sculptures on the coastal rocks are a masterpiece that blends with the sound of the sea and the wind. The waves crashing against the rocks and the sculptures bring the place to life in a unique way.
Its three steel sculptures, each weighing more than 9 tonnes, are anchored so that the wind will always comb the Bay of La Concha.
Chillida Leku Museum: Where Nature Embraces Art
Located in Hernani, the Chillida Leku Museum is an artistic oasis that presents a fascinating collection of Chillida’s masterpieces. Surrounded by a lush landscape, the museum offers us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the creative mind of the artist. From monumental sculptures to intimate engravings, the museum provides a complete overview of Chillida’s artistic evolution over the years.
Chillida Lantoki: the master’s revealing workshop
Chillida Lantoki, the artist’s studio, is in the old paper mill in Legazpi and is sacred to those who want to understand how he creates his masterpieces. Preserved as an authentic workspace, it offers a unique insight into the tools, sketches and sculptures at various stages of their creation. It is an intimate experience that reveals the dedication and passion that Chillida devoted to his art.
Chillida at the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao: a fusion of tradition and the avant-garde
You can also enjoy the Basque artist’s works in Bilbao. The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao has masterpieces by Chillida that combine the museum’s modern architecture with the timeless essence of his art.
The air is deep, or Embrace XI are some sculptures that you can visit both inside and outside the museum.
Chillida leaves his mark on the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, fusing tradition and modernity, matter and space. It creates a unique experience that elevates art to a poetic and timeless expression.
Eduardo Chillida 100 years
On 10 January 2024, the centenary of Eduardo Chillida will be celebrated. he Eduardo Chillida – Pilar Belzunce Foundation has prepared a full programme of exhibitions, musical and film activities, workshops, etc.
This worldwide celebration brings Chillida’s work closer to different cultures, generations and countries. On the centenary of Eduardo Chillida’s birth, we immerse ourselves in a journey that goes beyond steel sculptures and abstract forms.
It is a celebration to show how Chillida captured the essence of his land and captured it in works still admired all over the world.
Chillida in the Basque Country
The Artium, Bellas Artes and Balenciaga Museoa museums will show works by Chillida over the next few months. In Donostia / San Sebastian, the San Telmo Museum, the Artegunea Hall and Tabakalera will organise exhibitions dedicated to the illustrious Basque sculptor, each with its own distinctive interpretation, according to Mikel Chillida, Development Director of Chillida Leku.
The Hernani Museum will show sculptures by Chillida from the Telefónica Collection from 15 May to 13 October 2024. The Chillida centenary seeks to honour his values and contributions to contemporary art. To this end, there will be publications and a documentary directed by Arantxa Aguirre.
The temporary exhibition “Lugar de encuentros IV” is located in the Palacio de Miramar. In addition, the aim is to bring the artist closer to young people through a comic and a lesson on Eduardo Chillida.
The memory of Chillida will be celebrated through multiple artistic expressions, including music by the Euskadiko Orkestra and the Bilbao Choral Society, as well as dance, with a specially created work by the Kukai company, which will be performed on the traditional summer solstice in 2024 at Chillida Leku.